Nicole Buado-Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week

                With over 90 athletes on the lady wolves track team, it would be easy to understand how someone would struggle to stand out amongst their peers.  Senior Nicole Buado defies those odds and manages to impress not only her competition, but teammates and coaches as well.  The senior captain, who competes in the 100 and 200 in outdoor events and 55 in indoor events, is the Oswego East student athlete of the week.

                On Wednesday, March 19th, at the Wolves indoor meet, Nicole ran away from her competition in the 55, setting a personal best record of 7.5 seconds.  Winning events is not the only reason head coach Lisa Cook and sprinting coach Erik Aister think so highly of Nicole.  Amongst her 90 teammates, Nicole was selected as one of three captains for the 2014 season.  “Nicole can be both a vocal leader as well as a leader by example,” said Cook.  Cook goes on to say that “[Nicole] is an athlete that others follow. She has great ideas and is a wonderful representative of our program on and off the track.”

Nicole’s position coach, Erik Aister, who Nicole describes as nice, funny, and someone who knows how to push the girls hard to get the most out of them, shares those sentiments.  “As a captain, Nicole leads by example more than being vocal,” said Aister.  He continues by saying “[Nicole] comes to practice every day ready to work hard and to improve. The other girls on the team are able to follow her example and her commitment to taking track seriously.”

                It’s been with leadership and commitment like that of Nicole’s, as well as her other senior teammates, that has seen the girls track team expand so rapidly in participation over the past 3 seasons.  “In her 3 years running track,” says Cook, “the team has grown from 50 to 95 athletes.”  Cook goes on to say, “Nicole and the senior class have set such a great example and radiated all the great things that track and field has to offer. They deserve a lot of credit for how our team has grown in the past 3 years.”  The senior’s relationship with one another has not only help the growth of the program, but is something that has made running track so enjoyable for so many of the girls.  “The bonds we build with our own teams help push each other to be the best we can,” says Nicole. 

                Nicole and her teammates continue improving, and have lofty goals for the season.  “I want to win conference in the 100 and qualify for state,” said Nicole.  Success in track is not the only goals Nicole has for herself.  Nicole plans on attending Eastern Illinois or Ohio University and majoring in athletic training.  Head athletic trainer and Nicole’s sports medicine teacher, Shay Brown, believes Nicole has a bright future in athletic training.  “I think [Nicole] has the determination and drive to do anything she wants,” said Brown.  Brown believes Nicole’s personal qualities would make her an ideal candidate for athletic training because “[Nicole] would do a good job of relating to the athletes and finding a good balance between being tough and having empathy for the athlete.”

                Nicole has managed to stand out amongst her peers because of her tireless work ethic and ability to lead by example.  Her growth over the past 4 years as a student at Oswego East is one that makes the school and her coaches so proud, and will leave a large set of shoes to fill next year.  However, Nicole leaves East with advice for future students, whether they are competing in athletics or not.  “Don’t worry about what others think,” says Nicole.  She continues by saying “there is something at East for everyone, and you don’t want to watch life pass you by.”  Nicole’s, and her senior teammates, legacy on East will continue to be felt as the girls track program continues to grow and improve.